Step platform attachment for rung-type ladders



Nov. 1, 1949 F. H. HARTMAN ET AL ,7

STEP PLATFORM ATTACHMENT FOR HUNG-TYPE LADDERS Filed July 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS FRANKLIN H. HARTMAN JOHN W. KINNEY, Jr.

ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 1949 F. H. HARTMAN ETAL 2,486,783

STEP PLATFORM ATTACHMENT FOR HUNG-TYPE LADDERS Filed July 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FRANKLIN H. HARTMAN JOHN W. KINNEY, Jr.

ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 1949 F. H. HARTMAN ET AL 2,486,783

STEP PLATFORM ATTACHMENT FOR HUNG-TYPE LADDERS Filed July 24, 1946 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTOR. FRANKLIN H. HARTMAN JOHN w. KINNEY, Jr.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1949 UNITED T OF F ICE STEP PLATFORM ATTACHMENT FOR 'RUNG-TYPE LADDERS iFranklin H. BH-antman,

Deer Park, and .John

Application J1ily"'24, 1946, SerialNo. 685,846

10 vClaims. 1.1

This invention relates to "a ladder attachment, and more i particularly to a stepplatform attachment ior a rung-typ'e-ladder.

An'obj'ect of .the invention is LtO provide *a platform attachment for rung-type step ladders "whereby the user I of the ladder -may stand upon "an enlarged support memb'er' instead'of ona comparatively narrow rung. Our platform 'attachment-will-lessen the iatigue of'theuser of i a ladder without impairing the-usefulness of the ladder in .anyway.

Another object of the invention is to "provide *a platform attachment ior rung-type ladders, which is characterized I by its ease of adjustability not .only for attachment to various rungs of a ladder, but adjustability relative -to the longitudinalaxis ofthe ladder.

Another object f 'the invention is "to *provide a platform attachment for 'rung type ladders :which it includes positive acting-means for anchoring the platform against tipping.

A' further objecto'f the invention'is toprovide a platform attachment for rung-type ladders ='whichineludes=simp1e yet positive acting means for 1 precluding =acc identa1 tor =-unintentional disengagement of the-platform-from a ladder.

*Still a 'iurther cibject of the invention is "to provide a pl-atform attachment-for rung-type-ladde'rs having t'he hereinabove describedcharacteristics, and which=embcd-ies means for automatically locking the platform-'relative to a ladder in any desired-position.

Still another-object cf the invention is toprovide a "device having the hereinabove described characteristics which is adapted to' be manufac- 'tured by means of modern .mass production *methods.

These and other nbjects are attained l by *the means described herein and as disclosed'inthe accompanying drawings, in which -Figfllis aside elevation'of a rung typelladder provided with: a platform attachment of the present invention.

.'Fig 2 is a front view of the device disclosed-in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view-taken: on iine 3-3-of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is -aview takenon line l-- 4-*of Fig. 2.

Fig. .5 is a sectional viewttakenlooking toward the. left .and' taken immediatelyxto the left-of side :rail 22xof eEigJIZ.

(cram-31.5)

:Figs. :6 and flare :views similar to Fig.-5,but difiering therefrom in that they show various operative positions .:of the automatic locking .device.5fl.

Fig. .8 is. a front view of:a side rail engaging member, which comprises a detailznf'ithe present invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view of an automatic locking device comprising iardetail of the inven- 10 .tion.

:Fig. .10-is a irontviewrof amodifiedform of .a side *rail engaging member, which comprises a detail of the present-invention.

Fig. 11 is a front view .ofamodified form of 15 the device secured to a ladder wherein the side :rails flare outwardlyas illustrated.

Fig. 12 is a side view-looking toward thelleft .of side rail I22 of Fig..11.

Fig. .13. is similar to Fig. 12, differing therefrominthat the locking device has been moved to a. released or non-operative, position.

.Fig. 14.is a top view-of a modified form-of side .rail engaging member, which comprises :a detail of the present invention.

With reference .now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will .be observed that the platform attachment comprises, generally speaking, .a platform or support mem- .ber 10, .the opposite ends of which are secured to.and carried by a pair-of bracketslZ .and M, 3 which bracketsinclude aslottedportion [6 which is adaptedito-s1idab1yrengage rungs I8 which are secured to and carried bysiderails 2Uand 22.

As disclosed in Fig. :2, brackets l2. and M are spaced apartlby adimensionless thanthe spacing between side rails ..20-.and 22 for facilitating introduction .of .the vvbrackets onto a rung l8 and betweenthe side rails of. a ladder.

If desired, each.of,.brackets l2 and M maybe "fabricated "from .a single, piecesof material, .such

as, by way of .example,.sheet metal, whereby to provide a dependingmortionlzdin .which the trung receptive slot i6 is provided, the upper end of 'which'isbent at substantial .rightangles thereto "for providing a fiange'ZG'to which sup- 5 yport'member I'll may befastened, .byany suitable means,- as illustrated.

In 1 the preferred embodiment of "the invention the slotted portion l6 is-providedrearwardly of "the downwardly depending portion 24 in such 1a .maner as to dispose substantially half of i said fdependingamember forwardly of forward edge 28 of slot IS. A plurality of aperatures 30 are provided through brackets I2 and I4, as best disclosed in Figs. 3 and 5.

The step platform may be secured to a ladder by means of a side rail engaging member 32 which extends through aligned apertures 30 of brackets I2 and 54 for disposing portions of said member in contact with the forward face 34 of side rails 20 and 22.

At this point it will be observed that the angle which support member ID makes with the vertical axis of a ladder will be determined by the particular aperture of brackets I2 and I4 through which member 32 is inserted. In this manner it is possible to locate support member I in a substantially horizontal plane regardless of the angle which side rails and 22 of the ladder make with a reference surface such as face 38 of a supporting structure.

As disclosed in Fig. 8, side rail engaging member 32 is provided at one end with a U-shaped formation which includes an end portion 40 disposed at substantial. right angles with front portion 42, and a short rear portion 44 which is disposed in substantial parallelism with front portion 42.

As disclosed in Fig. 4, end portion 40 is so dimensioned as to locate rear portion 44 to the rear of rear face 46 of side rails 20 and 22, whereby the U-shaped end of side rail engaging mem ber 32 will extend around three sides of side rail 22.

It will be observed that this construction of member 32 will securely anchor support member I0 relatively to I'Lll'lg I8 in such a manner as to positively preclude any rocking or tilting motion of member I0 relative to rung I8.

With reference now to Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6, and '7, the numeral 50 denotes an automatic locking device which is pivotally secured to and carried by the side rail engaging member 32. As disclosed in Fig. 9, the automatic locking device may comprise an elongated handle portion 52 which is located in axial alignment with the center of a bearing opening 54 by which said device is pivotally secured to reduced portion 560 of member 32. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the automatic locking device includes an enlarged interference plate 56 which is adapted to normally extend between the adjacent faces of bracket I4 and side rail 22. If it be assumed that the weight of handle portion 52 is sufficient to cause the automatic locking device 55 to nor-- mally assume the position disclosed in Fig. 5, wherein handle 52 hangs directly beneath member 32, it will be seen that the enlarged interference plate 56 will effectively preclude accidental or unintentional disengagement of the U-shaped end of the side rail engagingmember 32 from side rail 22. Member 32 may only be shifted relative to brackets I2 and I4 and side rails 20 and 22 during those periods of time when handle 52 of the automatic locking device has been elevated, by means of an intentional act on the part of the user of the ladder, to the position disclosed in Fig. 6. When thus elevated, it will be observed that interference plate 56 has been moved to a non-interfering relationship relative to side rail 22 whereby it will be possible to effect a disengagement of the U-shaped portion of the side rail engaging member from the side rail 22. When thus disengaged, platform I0 may be readily associated with any other rung of the ladder simply by causing slot I6 of brackets I2 and I4 to engage another rung, after which the U- shaped end of member 32 may be caused to engage side rail 22 incident to movement of the interference plate 56 to the non-interfering position disclosed in Fig. 6. It should be understood that the locking device will automatically drop to the position indicated in Fig. 7 and then come to rest as disclosed in Fig. 5 each time handle 52 is released by the user of the device.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, stop means are provided on that end of the side rail engaging member 32 remote from its U-shaped end. If desired, such stop means 58 may comprise a suitable length of resilient material shaped to provide an abutting surface 60 which will normally engage the outer face 62 of bracket member I2 for precluding withdrawal of member 32 through bracket I2. By thus providing stop member 58, member 32 cannot be accidentally or unintentionally withdrawn from bracket I2, even during those periods of time when member 32 has been shifted to the right by an amount sufiicient to effect a disengagement of its U-shaped end from side rail 22. It will require a deliberate act on the part of an operator to depress stop member 58 for disposing abutment face 60 within a suitable slot 64 before the side rail engaging member 32 may be withdrawn from brackets I2 and I4.

From the foregoing it will be observed that we have provided an inexpensive and simple, yet foolproof device for releasably securing a step platform to the rungs of a rung-type ladder. If desired, the automatic locking device disclosed in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 may be replaced by the spring latch device indicated generally by the numeral of Fig. 10. This spring latch may comprise an abutment face 82 which will normally engage face II4 of bracket I4 for precluding accidental or unintentional withdrawal of member 32 relative to bracket I4. By providing an inclined shape to body portion 84 of spring latch member 60, it will be observed that said latch member will automatically snap open to the position illustrated in Fig. 10 each time it has been inserted to the left through aperture 30 of bracket I4.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the material of the depending portion 24 of each of flanges I2 and I4 is formed at substantial right angles relative to the plane of depending portion 24, as illustrated in Fig. 3, for the purpose of augmenting or increasing the effective bearing area of slot I6 on rungs I8 of a ladder.

With reference now to Fig. 11, it will be observed that the ladder structure comprises side rails I20 and I22, the lower portions of which flare outwardly, as disclosed. Brackets I2 and I4 are spaced apart by a dimension less than the minimum spacing between side rails I20 and I22 for facilitating introduction of said brackets onto a rung I8 and between the side rails of the ladder.

The step platform may be secured to the ladder by means of side rail engaging member I32 which extends through aligned apertures 30 of brackets I2 and I4 and-which is of a length sufficient to overlappingly engage the forward face 34 of side rails I20 and I22, throughout substantially their entire length.

Side rail engaging member I32 is provided with a substantially L-shaped rail engaging member,

denoted generally by the numeral I50, see Fig.

14, which includes a rearwardly extending portion I40 disposed at substantial right angles with mascara-s Member I50'is secured to rail engaging m'ember I32 :bym'eans of welding and the like, or 3 it may be -rotatably secured to the rail engaging member but 'flxedagainst sliding mo-tion relative thereto.

An automatic locking device 50 may be :piv-

otally secured to antl -carried "by-the "side trail engaging member I32 in'the same manner in which the locking device is tsecured'ito rod 32, as hereinabovedescribed.

Preferably-the lateral distance X-=(Fig. -l-4) Ahe- "tWeen adjacent faces of member I40 and locking device 5|] is of a dimension:somewhat greater than the overall width o'fside rail I 22=iofa ladder in order to receiveand facilitateengagementwvith side rail I22.

With referencenow to Figs. 11, 12 1'and "13,:it

-will be observed-'that m-ember I40 isiadaptcd' to extend 'rearwardly along the inner face I60 --'of rail I22 with end portion 144 engaging'therear face I62 of rail I22. Member I50 may be re- *leasably secured in lockingengagement with rail I22by means of the automaticlockingdevice50,

interference plateiB of which'is adapted to en- "gage outer face I64 of rail I22 for precluding accidental "or unintentional disengagement or member I50 with the side rail.

As illustrated'in'Fig. llfthe step-'platform may 'be laterally shifted "between the diverging :side rails "I and I22, "however the locking mecha- "nism just described will efiectivelyretain memher 150 in looking engagement with "side rail I22 regardless of the lateralspacing betweemthe side Walls of 'a' ladder. V

The'step platform may be quickly and easily moved to another rung of the ladder after-handle portion 52 'of locking member "50 has been -elevatedto the non-interfering position illustrated in Fig. 13, for facilitatingmovement'of rod-I 32 to the left for effecting adisengagement of rear portion I44 of member'150 from-rear face I'62fof rail I22.

It will be observed that platform'member I0 I attachments a very eflicient and dependable scaffold supportingstructure Will'be provided.

'Various changesin the structural details o'f 'the device may be made, Within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from "the spirit of the invention.

.What'is claimed is: 'lUIA stop platform for rung-.typeladders com- .prising, in combination, a support platform idimensioned for 'insertionbetween the side .rails of aladder, a pair of brackets each includinga depending portion and a flanged upper portion disposed at substantial right anglesrelativethere- .to, saidplatformsecured to and carriedlbylthe flanged portions ofsaid brackets, the depending ,portion of each bracket including :an .open 'bottomed rung receptive slot and an .aperture .110-

bated forwardlythereof, means dimensioned for insertion through .and slidable engagement with said apertures and of a length Jsufficient to span the side rails of..a laddenone-erid ofsaid'means terminating in a U,-sha ped memberdimensioned to engage the front,-outer and rearifaces -of the side rail of the-ladder.

i2. A steprplatformrfonrungtyperladdersrzicom- 'prisin'g, .in ucombination, in support :pIatform 3dirmens'i'oned 'for. insertionibetweenithe;sidexrails rof a ladder, a pair aof ibraoketseach including ;a :dependingportion and a flanged upper portion dispcsectat substantialeright anglesirelativeithereto, said .platformsecured to sand Lcarried by .the iflanged portions of :said brackets, the 'ldBD ending portion of reach bracket including an opensiihotttomedsrung':receptiveslot and-ianx aperturelocated forwardly ithereof, ;meansdimensioned. .for; inser- -tionthroughtaud slidable engagement withi'said apertures 'and I .of a; length i sufficient to span ithe :siden'ails of :a ladder, one end of :saidxmeans terminating in a U -shaped.memberridimensionedito engageithexfront, outer andxrear faces of thexside rail :of ithe. ladder, :and locking means pivotall'y :securedatoisaidfirst.mentionedmeans foripreclu'd- .ing accidental -.or unintentional withdrawal .of ,asaidcmeansifmm engagement with :said brackets.

33. ,JA stepjplatforml for rung-type ladderstcomgprising, in =.combination, a support :platform 5di- -mensioned for, insertionbetween the .siderails of .=a Bladder, .a pair of brackets :each including :ia depending portion and a Aflanged .upper portion disposed at substantial "right angles relative thereto, said platform securedt'toi..and lcarriedby ;the fiangedaportionsof saidbrackets, cthe ,idepend- -ing;porti0n of each bracketlincludingran open bottomed rung receptive 1 slot ,andan aperture located forwardly thereof, :means dimensioned for insertion through and rslidable engagement withasaid apertures and tofa length suflicient to span .the'lside rails of a ladder, one end of sai'd :means terminating in a U-shaped member :d1- :mensioned to engage thefront, outereand rrear xfacessof the sideirailof the ladder, lockingmeans comprising .a handle .and an interference plate gpivotally secured to said means .at ,a location whereby said interfering-plate will be normally .disposed betweenthe adjacentfaces of ;a bracket member and the inner face .of aiside trail when said U-shapedmember engages :said :side rail,

isaid interference lplatejprecluding withdrawaliof :sa-id meanslfrom.saidrbrackets'and for preventing accidental or unintentional:disengagement ofs-said .U -.shaped member fromsaid: sidetrail, saidiinterr ference gplate movable to a non-interfering :rela- .tionship with "said :side rail for effecting a '-,Withdrawal ofsaid meansv from: said brackets; anddisengagement of said U-shapedmernber from said :side .rail

4. 'A'stepplatform for rung-type ladders:com-

iprising, ,in .combination, asupport platform idi- '56 ,of aladdergapairof brackets each .including'a mensioned for insertion between the ,side rails depending portion and a flanged upperportion disposed at substantial right angles relative thereto, isa-id ,platform. secured to: and carriedpby the flanged-portionsof saidbrackets, thezdepend- ,ing portionsof each lbracketincludlng "an .open bottomed rung. receptive slot and a plurality -:.of spaced apertures disposed forwardly thereof and ,-.located .on --an arcuate center .line, :a rod dike '65,

;:slideable aengagement with corresponding apermember dimensioned for insertion through "and :turesof said"brackets,-and ofxa lengthsufiicient to spantheasiderails ofa ladder, :and'meansrseicuredzto and carried'by said member to engage therear fa'ce'of theside rail of a ladder.

:5..A.step.platform for rung-type ladders com- ,prising, combination, a supportziplatformsdimensioned for insertion between the. sidev rails of a ladder; a ,pair of brackets each includingt-a; de-

=-,pending-,p0rtion and a flanged upper pcrtionudise posed at substantial right angles relative thereto, said platform secured to and carriedby the flanged portions of said brackets, the depending portion of each bracket including an open bot- :tomed rung receptive slot and a plurality of spaced apertures disposed forwardly thereof and located on an arcuate center line, a rod-like member dimensioned for insertion through and slideable engagement with corresponding apertures of said brackets, and of a length sufficient to span the side rails of a ladder, and means secured to and carried by said member to releasably engage the rear face of the side rail of a ladder for precluding tipping of said brackets relative to a supporting ladder rung.

bottomed rung receptive slot and a plurality of spaced apertures disposed forwardly thereof and located on an arcuate center line, a rod-like member dimensioned for insertion through and slideable engagement with corresponding apertures of said brackets, and of a length sufiicient to span the side rails of a ladder, and means secured to and carried by said member to releasably engage the rear face of the side rail of a ladder for precluding tipping of said brackets relative to a supporting ladder rung, and locking means secured to and carried by said rod-like member and engageable with the side rail of a ladder for precluding accidental or unintentional disengagement of said means releasably engaging the rear face of a side rail.

'7. A step platform for rung-type ladders, comprising in combination, a support platform dimensioned for insertion between the side rails of a ladder, a pair of brackets each including a depending portion provided with an open bottomed rung receptive slot and a plurality of spaced apertures located forwardly thereof, means for securing said platform to said brackets, a member dimensioned for slidable engagement with corresponding apertures of said braok ets and of a length suflicient to span and overlappingly engage the front face of the side rails of a ladder for precluding forward turning of said brackets about a rung, and means secured to and carried by said member for engaging the v rear face of a side rail for precluding rearward turning of said brackets about a rung.

8. A step platform for rung-type ladders comprising, in combination, a support platform dimensioned for insertion between the side rails of a ladder, a pair of brackets each including a depending portion and a flanged upper portion disposed at substantial right angles relative thereto, said platform secured to and carried by the flanged portions of said brackets, the depending portion of each bracket including an open bottomed rung receptive slot and an aperture rod and L-shaped member engaging the front and rear faces respectively of the side rail of a ladder for precluding turning of said brackets about a supporting rung, and locking means secured to and carried by said rod and located intermediate said L-shaped member and the end of said rod for releasably engaging the outer side face of the side rail of a ladder for precluding accidental or unintentional lateral shifting of said rod relative to the side rails of a ladder.

9. A step platform for rung-type ladders comprising, in combination, a support platform dimensioned for insertion between the side rails of a ladder, a pair of brackets each including a depending portion and a flanged upper portion disposed at substantial right angles relative thereto, said platform secured to and carried by the flanged portions of said brackets, the depending portion of each bracket including an open bottomed rung receptive slot and an aperture located forwardly thereof, a rod dimensioned for insertion through and slidable engagement with said apertures and of a length sufficient to span and overlappingly engage the front face of the side rails of a ladder, an L-shaped member secured to said rod adjacent an end thereof, said member dimensioned to engage the inner side and rear face of the side rail of a ladder, said rod and L-shaped member engaging the front and rear faces respectively of the side rails of a ladder for precluding turning of said brackets about a supporting rung, and locking means secured to and carried by said rod and located intermediate said L-shaped member and the end of said rod, said locking means comprising an interference plate pivotally secured to said rod for normal overlapping engagement with the outer face of the side rail of a ladder for precluding lateral shifting of said rod relative to said rails and disengagement of said L-shaped member from the rear face of a side rail, said interference plate rotatble to a non-interfering relationship with a side rail for effecting a lateral shifting of said rod relative to the side rails for disengaging the L-shaped member from a side rail.

10. A step platform for rung-type ladders comprising, in combination, a support platform dimensioned for insertion between the side rails of a ladder, a pair of brackets each including a depending portion and a flanged upper portion disposed at substantial right angles relative thereto, said platform secured to and carried by the flanged portions of said brackets, the depending portion of each bracket including an open bottomed rung receptive slot and an aperture located forwardly thereof, a rod dimensioned for insertion through and slidable engagement with said apertures and of a length sufficient to span and overlappingly engage the front face of the side rails of a ladder, an L-shaped member secured to said rod adjacent an end thereof, said member dimensioned to engage the inner side and rear face of the side rail of a ladder, said,

rod and L-shaped member engaging the front and rear faces respectively of the side rails of a ladder for precluding turning of said brackets about a supporting rung, and locking means secured to and carried by said rod and located intermediate said L-shaped member and the end of said rod, said locking means comprising an interference plate pivotally secured to said rod for normal overlapping engagement with the outer face of the side rail of a ladder for precluding lateral shifting of said rod relative to said rails and disengagement of said L-shaped member from the rear face of a side rail, said interference plate 9 rotatable to a. non-interfering relationship with a side rail for effecting a lateral shifting of said rod relative to the side rails for disengaging the L-shaped member from a side rail, and a handle secured relative to said interfering plate for normally overbalancing said interference plate to an interfering position relative to the side rail of a ladder.

FRANKLIN H. HAR'I'MAN. JOHN W. KINNEY, Jn.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 335,051 Ayers Jan. 26, 1886 2,297,883 Glover Oct. 6, 1942 

